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THE family of a mum who died after routine surgery on a broken ankle has said doctors missed five chances to save her.
Laura Griffiths, 35, died from pulmonary infarction at Pinderfields Hospital on December 31, 2019.
The teacher, from Huddersfield, had surgery the previous day to fix an ankle she had broken in a fall on a night out on December 14.
Pulmonary infarction occurs when a section of lung tissue dies because its blood supply has become blocked, a previous hearing was told.
Contributory causes were given as pulmonary thromboembolism which resulted from deep vein thrombosis in her left leg and traumatic ankle fracture operation.
Her family has previously claimed that there were “many missed opportunities by numerous health professionals” involved in Laura’s care.
On Tuesday the inquest into Laura’s death resumed at Bradford Coroners’ Court as doctors gave evidence about the care she received before and after the surgery.
The family’s barrister, Sarah Edwards, raised questions about “two missed doses” of Tinzaparin, a drug used for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis, in the days leading up to surgery.
Mum-of-two Laura did not take the drug on December 22 and 23 because she had completed her seven-day supply.
The barrister queried a 90-minute delay in providing Tinzaparin on the evening of December 30.
The family also questioned whether Laura being given “sub-optimal” doses of Tinzaparin after surgery – due to her weight being incorrectly recorded – had contributed to her deep vein thrombosis.
The family’s lawyer said that Laura had been suffering pain and swelling in her knee in the days before surgery.
Had she been fully examined and assessed a blood clot may have been found behind her knee, they added.
It is now known that Laura had deep vein thrombosis at the time of her operation but it wasn’t detected because no-one examined her, according to her family.
They say her risk of thrombosis was high and she should have been examined.
Giving evidence, Dr Ehab Kheir told assistant coroner, Angela Brocklehurst, it was “unlikely” the delay in prescribing Tinzaparin had had a detrimental effect.
Family say five chances to save her were missed
1/2: “Two missed doses” of Tinzaparin, a drug used for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis, in the days leading up to surgery.
3: A 90-minute delay in providing Tinzaparin on the evening of December 30.
4: Laura being given ‘sub-optimal’ doses of Tinzaparin after surgery – due to her weight being incorrectly recorded.
5: Laura had been suffering pain and swelling in her knee in the days before surgery and, had she been fully examined and assessed before surgery, a blood clot may have been found behind her knee.
Dr Kheir said he was aware of Laura’s high risk from venous thromboembolism when he had seen her on December 30.
The doctor said he had asked Laura if she was taking injections to counter deep vein thrombosis and she had said she was.
He said Laura had not mentioned pain in the back of her knee on the day of the operation.
Dr Joanna Haughton, consultant haematologist, said she was unable to say if it was possible or probable that the two days of missed Tinzaparin doses had more than a minimally contributed to Laura’s death.
She was unable to say if the delay in administering Tinzaparin after the operation contributed to Laura’s death.
The hearing was adjourned to allow the coroner to consider her conclusion and for lawyers for the family and the hospital trust to file final submissions to the coroner.
The inquest is expected to conclude in August.
In an earlier statement, her mum Cath said her daughter’s death had come as a huge shock and everyone had been left heartbroken.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
A PULMONARY embolism is when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your lungs.
It can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Check if you have a pulmonary embolism
Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:
- difficulty breathing that comes on suddenly
- chest pain that’s worse when you breathe in
- coughing up blood
You may also have pain, redness and swelling in one of your legs (usually the calf).
These are symptoms of a blood clot, also called DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
Source: NHS
Cath said Laura was “determined, loyal, funny, stroppy, loving, supportive, dedicated, caring, courageous and strong”.
Laura had obtained three separate university degrees and had developed a passion for helping children with special needs.
She had been an award-winning gymnast and had a black belt in taekwondo.
Laura had enjoyed several different careers including social worker, mental health nurse and a special needs teacher.
She had become a mum in 2015 and had her second child in 2017.
Laura had gone on to set up her own charity Activity for All for children and adults with special needs.
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